Latvia has to do without top player Kristaps Porzingis at the upcoming Basketball World Cup, the big man cancelled due to injury. Canada also has to cope with a notable absence.
First Victor Wembanyama, then Nikola Jokic, then Giannis Antetokounmpo, and now Jamal Murray and Kristaps Porzingis: The Basketball World Cup in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines is running out of stars. On Wednesday, NBA pro Porzingis (Boston Celtics) was the first top player to cancel his participation for Latvia due to plantar fasciitis in his foot.
A little later, Murray, who had led the Denver Nuggets to the NBA title together with Jokic, also followed suit. “After consulting with the medical staff and the team, it is clear that I need further rest. I have made the difficult decision not to participate in the tournament,” Murray told the Canadian Association’s website.
The 26-year-old guard continues to dream of participating in the Olympic Games in Paris. To qualify for the Games, Canada must finish the World Cup as one of the top two teams from North, Central and South America.
Porzingis expected to be fit in time for pre-season
Porzingis wrote on social media that a recent MRI result had led to the decision. The decision was made jointly by the Latvian medical and coaching team and the Celtics. Porzingis was traded to Boston this summer from the Washington Wizards after posting career bests in several statistical categories last season, including points (23.2) and field goal percentage (49.8 per cent).
However, the 28-year-old is expected to be fit again in time for the start of preparations for the new NBA season, which begins on 24 October. As the team announced on Wednesday, the doctors expect a four to six-week rehabilitation phase, which will now begin for Porzingis.
Wembanyama (France/San Antonio Spurs), top pick in this year’s NBA draft, NBA champion and Finals MVP Nikola Jokic (Serbia/Denver Nuggets) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece/Milwaukee Bucks) had previously announced they would not play in the tournament in Asia (25 August to 10 September).
